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Ah,
spring! The Sun’s radiance energizes the air and ground, coaxing crocuses
and daffodils to burst brightly. Lithe baby animals frolic and skitter
everywhere. Glorious spring, when our hearts turn light, shedding winter’s
heavy cloak, rushing into new activity and brushing away the past.
But
what happens when these glad moments produce an aftermath of aches and
strains? Oh, the throbbing spasms. Ouch, the charley horse! Is this our
reward for waiting out winter? To feel cramped and decrepit after a few
glorious hours of physical abandon?
Your
Personal Powerhouse
Everyone
has muscle, not just the kind in Congress. It’s the wonderful system of
developed bundles of striated tissue that cloaks our bones and sensuously
fills out our skin. Muscles give us some of our first impressions as we
size up others. Thick, contracted muscles suggest power, readiness for
action and capability. Thin, sallow muscles make us think of feebleness,
inability and even laziness.
Although
first impressions can be faulty (muscles of tall people actually contract
to greater power than those on shorter people), we all know well-toned
muscles let us respond and participate in any activity, allowing us to
make abrupt changes while keeping us steady. The vigor we feel as muscles
contract and expand is no accident. This is the impulse of life itself,
to act physically on our environment in personal ways.
Muscles
are found throughout the body, with lengthy bands covering the thighs,
calves and arms working as levers for complicated tasks. Heavy muscles,
compacted for endurance to keep the body upright, round the buttocks,
enabling stance, and steady the neck and shoulders, holding up the heavy
head. Across the torso, back and abdomen are crossed overlaps of muscle,
varying in length, securing and protecting precious vital organs as the
body twists or bends. Aiding muscles are flexible tendons that attach
bones to muscles, and inflexible ligaments that stretch across joints
to keep bones aligned during movement.
This
marvelous body would be far less beautiful if we were only a structure
of bones protruding sharply through a bag of skin. Abuse muscles, and
we experience strain and exhaustion through overuse, cramping from low
mineral content in tissues and spasms from repetitive action.
Astrology
and Your Muscular Health
From
ancient days to modern times, Aries and its associated planet Mars have
unchallenged dominion over the muscular system. Everything about muscles
relates directly to the attributes of Mars.
To
Mars are given energy and will, particularly willpower. Impulsiveness
is mixed in there, too, although it is often perceived negatively. Always
ready, Mars is expert at leaving finished tasks to move abruptly to the
next assignment. The martian perspective does not usually include an appreciation
for repetition. Vigor, speed, strength and readiness round out the talents
bestowed from the red planet.
Besides
muscular strength to act and endurance to carry through, we can thank
Mars for showing us, in plain sight, the occult or hidden principle of
mind over matter. Mars is motivation (willpower), motive force (the signal
or impulse to act) and motion (the ability to act and move through space
or environment). The decision and signal to act and consequent movement
are so instantaneous and taken for granted, we fail to remember that our
thinking is the impetus behind our actions.
Maintaining
Your Vital Power
- Healthy
muscles, no matter the limit of your physical strength, benefit principally
from managed protein in your diet and kind movements.
- While protein is the major nutrient of muscle tissue, calcium is the
second greatest. However, to digest protein, the body uses calcium reserves,
which means that gorging on protein will rob muscles of calcium. Calcium-depleted
muscles will cramp.
- Protein is present in every food, although low in fruits and vegetables.
As for beans, dairy, eggs, fish and meat, keep your daily intake to
less than 35 grams. To monitor your daily protein supply, read the nutrition
disclosures on the foods you purchase.
- Muscles love to move, but abhor repetition, which can cause prolonged
cramping, like a charley horse. To condition muscles, stretch like a
cat. Twist or bend to a natural limit, holding the new position for
a few seconds. Then bring yourself back into normal position with slow
grace. Through these movements, you teach your muscles to flex fluidly
through expansion and contraction, avoiding rash action that can lead
to spasms.
- Hearty exercise or sports, whatever your preference, benefit your
circulation and respiration. Overexertion, though, leads to exhaustion.
When you expect tests of strength or endurance, remember to eat two
or three oranges throughout the day to nourish muscle tissue against
strain and later cramping. Aching muscles from exhaustion relieve with
restful sleep. The herb valerian root is a muscle relaxant and induces
deep sleep when taken about 30 minutes before bedtime. Take valerian
root in capsules or as a tea.
- Put your spring to good use. Join in and muscle your way to great
health!
Editor’s
note: The health information given in this article is not meant as
a substitute for care from a qualified physician. This information is
given for educational purposes only, and is not intended to diagnose or
prescribe. StarIQ.com is not responsible for any mishaps that occur as
a result of using this information.
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